Separate scope change from overrun
See this course’s project requirements
A reconciled project cost sheet showing baseline, incurred costs, open commitments, forecast to finish, and a supported change recommendation.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- An approved-scope baseline with checked quantities and costs.
- A cost register with three non-overlapping categories.
- A price-variance note with invoice and full-project effects.
- A forecast-to-finish sheet and two-cause variance explanation.
- A scope-change request separating incremental work and existing variance.
- A final reconciled cost-control packet with versions, causes and next decision.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Every required section is present and traceable to the supplied case facts.
- Decisions separate known facts, assumptions, and unresolved questions.
- Records, calculations, and instructions agree with each other and the stated rules.
- The final revision addresses a changed case and explains what someone should do next.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Current approved scope 100 kits, B1 $800; forecast for that scope $890. Proposed addition: 10 more kits at $3.30 materials and $4 assembly each, no extra delivery. Added scope is not yet approved. Lee must decide. Existing $90 overrun remains separate from the added-scope estimate.
More approved work and higher cost for existing work are different decisions.
Separate scope change from overrun — guided practice
Prepare a change request without hiding an existing variance.
Use a text editor, a free document editor, or paper. Start from the following fictional records; they reset this lesson even if your earlier answer differed. Current approved scope 100 kits, B1 $800; forecast for that scope $890. Proposed addition: 10 more kits at $3.30 materials and $4 assembly each, no extra delivery. Added scope is not yet approved. Lee must decide. Existing $90 overrun remains separate from the added-scope estimate.
1. Estimate the addition
Calculate materials and assembly for 10 extra kits.
You should see: $33 + $40 = $73.
The request should price the proposed additional work.
2. Show the existing gap
Retain the $90 variance for the original scope.
You should see: $890 forecast versus $800 baseline.
A scope request should not conceal an unrelated overrun.
3. Calculate conditional forecast
Add $73 to the current forecast if the addition is approved.
You should see: $963 for 110 kits.
The estimate makes the decision’s total consequence visible.
4. Draft the request
State scope, incremental cost, total forecast and approval status.
You should see: 10 extra kits, +$73, conditional forecast $963; pending Lee.
A request is not an approved baseline revision.
What to finish
A scope-change request separating incremental work and existing variance.
Watch for this
Resetting the baseline to the forecast and calling the overrun solved.
How can I tell I understand it?
Check your result against the worked example, then explain the changed case without using an unstated assumption.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.
Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Standard Costs and Variance Analysis
From Edspira. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Optional course overview. Follow the written steps below at your own pace.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
Tools and templates
Tools open in a new tab so you can keep your place here.
Sources and further reading
Explore the references behind this lesson.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected March 2020 guide overview: scope, assumptions, documentation and updating estimates with actual costs. Public federal guidance; original small-project case is not an agency procedure.
Access: Public page inspected without an account.
Reuse: Reference link only. Course prose and practice data are original; no third-party text, figures, or templates are reproduced.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected February 2015 Appendix H, especially basis of estimate, input assumptions, traceability and presentation of cost drivers.
Access: Public six-page agency PDF; no account.
Reuse: Reference link only. No text, charts, templates or third-party material reproduced.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected February 2015 Appendix I on using performance information to update estimates.
Access: Public agency PDF; no account.
Reuse: Reference link only. Course records and arithmetic are independently authored.
Report a problem with this lesson
Tell us what went wrong. Please leave out personal information and private project contents.